Chapter 5

Hello all! Apologies for the shortness of this chapter. Unfortunately I had surgery over the weekend, so this chapter and the next one will be short, and the length should pick up as we reach the end. Thanks to my beta for going through this. Hope you enjoy and remember to review!

The House of Batiatus was a hive of activity as the owners made preparations for the day. Oenomaus had the chosen gladiators chained and ready to depart as Batiatus stood on the balcony, Lucretia, Melitta and Naevia attending.

"This day is when the House of Batiatus rises to prominence once again! Let no one stand in our way as we soar! Fight for the honor of this house and the memory of my father! Win, and eternal glory is yours!" he shouted. The assembled gladiators cheered in response to his speech.

Oenomaus nodded to Melitta and turned to lead the gladiators out of the ludus. Gannicus followed his lead, throwing her a quick wink as well. She smiled back at him, but could not hide the worry on her face as she saw them depart.

"Melitta," Naevia touched her arm briefly. Melitta turned and saw Lucretia moving with her husband into the villa. Nodding at Naevia in gratitude, she followed, the other woman on her heels.

"Solonius has made all the arrangements?" Lucretia was asking, as they came upon the husband and wife.

"He said that all was well, and that Vettius proved to be most accommodating, absent his master."

"Solonius is a good friend Quintus…you must remember to treat him well and not belittle him as you did."

"Ease mind Lucretia! Solonius is true, and he is used to my jibes. He has been enduring throughout our friendship. Let us settle argument and turn thought to the glory we shall gain today on merit of Gannicus!"

"He shall fill our purse." Was the excited reply.

"To the bursting!" Batiatus laughed.

Melitta wished she had a part of her master and mistresses' confidence. Yet as she and Naevia helped them both finish getting ready, the feeling of change lingered in the air. And for Melitta, in whose life change seldom heralded good tidings, the sentiment of joy was not shared.

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As the House of Batiatus made their way to the pulvinus, Melitta studied the bustling activity, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gannicus, or her husband. But both were busy with preparations, and she could not find them. Reaching the pulvinus, she looked around and shuddered. There was Varrus, and his odious friend, Cossutius. Melitta felt filthy breathing the same air as them, and she could feel Naevia trembling in fear.

Men were racing throughout the arena, and Melitta looked at them to distract herself from the conversation taking place. But she could hear the snatches regardless.

"…crown laurel of the Republic."

"When viewed from the pulvinus…"

"…Honor to be invited."

"Hard man to refuse…"

Melitta closed her eyes. Being near Varrus and Cossutius was suffocating, and she turned to see Naevia was now subtly glaring at the men. She caught the girl's eyes, and then shook her head. Naevia grit her teeth, but lowered her eyes obediently.

Suddenly Melitta saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and turned to see Vettius approaching, Solonius following with a small smile.

"Apologies." Vettius began. "Tullius regrets that he will be absent altogether. Business in Antioch. His departure was…unexpected."

"How tragic. The arena would not exist without Tullius. We would not be standing here absent his actions." Lucretia cooed.

" I can only offer apology."

"Ah never mind! Sit with me so his spirit remains." The magistrate cajoled.

"Again I must offer apologies. I must depart as well. I make preparations to depart for Antioch as soon as possible." Vettius replied calmly, though both Melitta and Naevia could see the anger in his gaze.

"What of your gladiators? Ah, do not worry! Solonius and I shall divide them between us at fair price." Batiatus smirked. The smile on his face was wiped off at Vettius's reply.

"Ease mind. I have already transferred my ludus to Solonius. And I ask you give him prominence in my stead." He addressed the magistrate, who nodded distractedly, mind already on the upcoming festivities.

"Gratitude for the consideration." Solonius smiled at a flabbergasted Batiatus. "Come let us away."

Lucretia and Batiatus exchanged a furious look as Solonius and Vettius left, and Melitta and Naevia looked at their masters in concern. Whenever their plans went awry, it was the couple's slaves who suffered the repercussions.

As Batiatus turned to follow Solonius, Lucretia grit her teeth in anger. Catching Melitta's anxious gaze, she smoothed out her expression, sitting down and gesturing Naevia to bring her some water.

Fucking traitor! She fumed. How dare you betray my husband thus! I shall make you pay for this someday Solonius you treacherous snake!

The crowd booing brought her out of her musings, and she saw people being led out into the sand.

"What stirs the crowd so?" Lucretia turned to see her husband. Although his face was calm, she could see the rage seething in his gaze.

"Executions. To prepare for the opening games and gain the gods favor." The magistrate answered genially.

Melitta turned away. She had never been comfortable with executions, and she hated the fact that the games were starting with them. Her thoughts were interrupted by Cossitus's oily voice.

"Isn't that one of yours Batiatus? What was her name?" he mused. Melitta and Naevia's eyes shot to the small kneeling figure, and horror invaded as they both realized who she was.

"Diona." Naevia whimpered as she stepped forward in a daze.

"Yes, Diona." Cossutius laughed.

Naevia glared at the monster in front of her, but her eyes were drawn back to the bruised visage of her best friend as Diona looked around helplessly. She closed hers eyes in despair as Batiatus declined to help her poor companion, and heard Melitta soft intake of breath as the executions started. Naevia opened her eyes and looked at Diona, visible even from the great distance.

Forgive me, Naevia cried silently, tears springing to her eyes. I only wanted to help you. Now I have given you over to death. Forgive me, my dearest friend!

Their eyes met, as the gladiator moved towards Diona. The girl offered Naevia a brave smile, but her trembling lips gave away her fear. Naevia felt as if she would shatter as Solonius gave the signal and the sword thrust towards Diona. It felt as if it was her heart that had been stabbed and she swayed as Diona fell forward, dead. Suddenly, a warm hand slipped into hers, fingers lacing together and squeezing comfortingly. Naevia turned to see Melitta, tears in her eyes as she shook her head, eyes moving towards Lucretia who was watching them both in concern. Naevia gripped Melitta's hand tightly as the woman gave a reassuring smile to her Domina, who turned back to the games. For one brief, mad, moment Naevia wanted to push Cossutius, Batiatus, Lucretia…all who had contributed to Diona's suffering off the balcony, but Melitta's hand anchored her to reality and she gazed upon the arena, seeing her friend being dragged away, feeling numb.

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"You will face Iscedioas and Celados in the games before the primus." Gannicus turned to Oenomaus as the Doctore came to stand behind him. He nodded, turning back to study his sword absentmindedly. "Our day has been filled. Show all of Capua why you are considered such a prize," Oenomaus continued, "Fight and honor the House of Batiatus."

"There are many things I would die for." Gannicus replied. "Many things I deserve to die for…yet this House is no longer among them." I fight for Melitta and for you. And I know that I should die for betraying you, my old friend…but this house? After all this House had put us through? I would never fight for this pile of shit.

"Then fight for her." Oenomaus urged. Gannicus turned and raised an eyebrow in inquiry. Seldom did one man request another to fight for his wife, even if the men were best friends. For a moment Gannicus wondered if Oenomaus suspected, but then his friend continued. "I used to dedicate my victories to her, but am unable to do so now. But you…the lives you take and the blood you shed, she will see it and know you do so for her, at my request."

She will see it and know I do so for her, request or no. Gannicus thought. He stood up and offered his friend a smile. "Then I shall fill her eyes." He promised. Oenomaus nodded, satisfied, then turned to their newest gladiator.

"Crixus!" he bellowed. "You fight first."

As Crixus moved towards the entrance, Gannicus found himself wondering why the gladiator hair had been cut and his beard shaved. Shoving the inane thought aside, he began to get ready for his bout.

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It seemed to Melitta that the fights before Gannicus's bout moved at a snail's pace. Batiatus's gladiators fought well, particularly the new recruit Crixus. Her time was spent between looking at the arena and tending to Lucretia.

When he finally stepped onto the sand, wild cheers greeted his long-awaited arrival. He was fighting Iskedios and Cenatos, and Melitta sent up a quick prayer to the gods. She need not have worried. Despite his period of inactivity Gannicus was as good as ever, the true champion for the House of Batiatus. He dispatched both combatants quickly, then bowed to the pulvinus and retreated, smiling. Melitta grinned at his theatrics.

While Gannicus's fight filled her with joy, Caburus's ruthless killing of his opponents chilled her to the core. Melitta found herself praying yet again to the Gods to show Gannicus mercy, and let him survive the day. Please she begged Please do not take from me the one true measure of happiness I have. Please do not let him fall.

Then, though Melitta had dreaded the moment, and prayed for it not to come, night fell, the torches were lit, and the primus began.

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